Nigel Pearson has revealed Famara Diedhiou's absence from the Bristol City squad for a second week running is a precautionary measure with the Senegalese striker still suffering a swollen knee.
Diedhiou had started nine of the previous 11 games but didn't make the matchday 20 for last Sunday's 3-2 loss against Luton, despite training the previous day, and has been left out again for the Robins penultimate game of the season against Millwall.
The 28-year-old is one of 13 first-team players out of contract at the end of June and reports last week claimed Middlesbrough were in "advanced talks" to sign the frontman, who joined City from Angers in 2017.
Speaking before the game at the Den, Pearson stated that Diedhiou, utility man Zak Vyner and midfielder Tyreeq Bakinson all miss out in east London due to knee trouble.
"Strangely enough they've all got knee problems, all three of them" Pearson told BBC Radio Bristol. "But nothing that's of any great significance. They've all got swelling in the joints and it's more of a precaution, really.
"I don't see any reason at this stage of the season to put players in a position where they may do more damage. Hopefully they'll be back for next week."
Diedhiou looks increasingly likely to leave Ashton Gate having not signed a contract that was first presented to him last summer. Bristol Live understands that talks with the club have fallen largely silent for several weeks now.
In his place in the squad, Pearson has selected young strikers Tommy Conway, who makes his second consecutive start, and Louis Britton who's impressed for the Under-23s.
Pearson made five changes to his starting XI to the team that surrendered a two-goal lead against Luton including the return of Nathan Baker, who makes his first start of the campaign having been out since September due to a hamstring problem. The centre-back is also among that list of out of contract players.
"Good to get him back. I think it's important he gets a start before we finish the season and it's good to have someone of his physical presence back in the side," Pearson said.
Another long-term injury absentee also continued his road to recovery with left-back Jay Dasilva making his first City squad since sustained a tibia injury in December.
Bristol City: O'Leary; Baker, Kalas, Mariappa; Hunt, Lansbury, Massengo, Palmer, Rowe; Wells, Conway; Subs: Bentley, Dasilva, Nagy, Semenyo, Towler, Scott, Janneh, Sessegnon, Britton.
